Starting in real estate is exciting and uncomfortable at the same time. You need leads, but you don’t have a past client list, name recognition, or a big budget. The good news: you can still build a steady pipeline by focusing on fast response, smart local visibility, useful content, and consistent follow-up.
One quick mindset shift before we dive in. Most buyers and sellers do not interview a bunch of agents. Many hire the first one who engages them well. That means your speed and first impression can win you business even if you’re new.
New Agent Roadblocks and How to Fix Them
No Audience Yet
You don’t have a database or referrals. Build one fast with a simple weekly routine: 20 new conversations, 5 coffee chats, 2 videos, and 1 local post in community groups. Keep names and notes in a CRM so no one slips through the cracks.
Small Budget
Lean on low-cost channels: Google Business Profile, short-form video, local partnerships, renters-to-buyers campaigns, FSBO and expired outreach, and open-house networking. These take sweat equity more than cash.
Low Credibility
Borrow trust. Feature local lenders, inspectors, and small businesses in your content. Share authentic market insights and behind-the-scenes clips of how you prep clients. Social proof compounds.
Inconsistent Follow-Up
Leads go cold when you’re busy. Use a CRM to automate the first reply, schedule reminders, and run short nurture sequences so every lead hears from you quickly and repeatedly.
12 proven lead generation ideas for brand-new agents
1) Master Your Google Business Profile
Claim and fill it out completely. Add services, neighborhoods, hours, photos, and weekly updates. Ask every happy contact for a review. Consumers lean heavily on Google reviews when choosing local providers, so this is prime real estate for you.
2) Publish Hyper-Local Content Every Week
Create posts buyers and sellers actually search for: “Cost to sell a home in [City],” “Best starter neighborhoods under [price],” “How to buy with 3% down in [City].” Use long-tail keywords and put the city in titles, H2s, and image alt text. Local intent searches are a huge share of Google queries, so they show up where people are looking.
3) Short-Form Video that Answers One Question
Record 30–60 second clips that solve one problem at a time. Example topics: “3 ways to get an offer accepted under list,” “How appraisal gaps work,” “The fastest way to improve your pre-approval.” Post to Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Repurpose clips inside your emails and texts.
4) Run One “Value Magnet” At All Times
Offer a simple freebie to capture emails: a first-time buyer checklist, a “7-day tour plan,” or a monthly “Deals Under [price]” list. Put the opt-in on your site and link it in your social bios. Everyone who downloads gets a short set of nurture emails plus a personal outreach.
5) Pair Open Houses With Neighbor Farming
Door-knock 20 homes around your open house with a friendly invite and a one-page market snapshot. After the open, send a “Here’s what we learned” note to attendees and neighbors. It positions you as the local resource.
6) Turn Renters Into First-Time Buyers
Run a simple campaign: “Still renting in [Neighborhood]? Here’s how to buy under [monthly payment].” Partner with a lender for a payment breakdown and host a quick Zoom Q&A. Many renters just need a clear path.
7) FSBO & Expired Listings, Respectfully
Lead with help, not hard sells. Offer a free pricing check, pro photos list, or a “7 buyer-readiness fixes” sheet. Follow up weekly with one new tip. When fatigue sets in, you’re the first person they call.
8) Partner with Local Businesses
Swap visibility with coffee shops, gyms, dog groomers, and daycares. You feature them in your content. They pin your flier or QR on a counter. Add a quarterly giveaway to sweeten engagement.
9) Join Community Groups and Actually Contribute
Facebook and Nextdoor groups drive real conversations. Share market updates, answer questions, and post useful resources. Avoid spam. Consistency builds name recognition.
10) Host Micro-Events
Think small and frequent: 20-minute “How to buy your first home” in a coworking space, a “Move-up math” session on Zoom, or a “Prep to sell in 30 days” workshop. Collect RSVPs and follow up with slides and next steps.
11) Speed-to-Lead: Reply within Five Minutes
Your chance of a conversation and conversion jumps dramatically if you contact a new lead within the first five minutes. Most companies still respond far too slowly, which is your edge. Automate the initial reply and set alerts for instant callbacks.
12) Build a Simple, Repeatable Follow-Up System
New agents lose deals by following up twice and stopping. Create a 10-touch plan that blends text, email, and a call over 30 days. Personalize each touch with one clear next step, like “tour three homes Friday at 4 pm.” Track every touch in your CRM.
Your weekly plan for the first 90 days
- Daily: respond to new leads in under five minutes, post one story or short video, send two DMs that provide value
- Twice a week: publish a helpful post on your Google Business Profile and your Facebook page
- Weekly: write one blog or newsletter, host one micro-event or live Q&A, visit one local business to collaborate
- Monthly: run one targeted ad to your opt-in, ask for five reviews, send a “market in minutes” update to your list
This cadence keeps your real estate pipeline growing while you learn your market, sharpen your message, and build authority.
Conversion basics you cannot skip
Be first to respond
Call or text immediately, then send an email that recaps next steps. The first agent to engage usually wins the client.
Personalize quickly
Reference their price range, neighborhood, and timeframe in the first message. Share two or three listings that match.
Book a real conversation
Push for a short phone call or video chat. Humans hire people, not forms.
Nurture everyone else
Not ready today does not mean never. A simple weekly value email keeps you top of mind.
Track what works
Measure lead source, response time, appointment rate, offers written, and deals closed. Improve the weak link every month.
FAQs
What is the fastest way for a new agent to get leads?
Google Business Profile plus fast response. Ask for reviews from anyone you’ve helped, even before your first closing, and publish weekly local posts. Pair that with a five-minute response rule for all inquiries.
Are paid leads worth it when I am new?
They can be, but only if you have a tight follow-up system and a clear script. Paid leads are less forgiving of slow responses, so dial in your real estate automate workflow first.
How often should I post content?
Aim for one helpful long-form piece per week and several short posts or videos. Focus on local questions and buyer or seller pain points.
Conclusion:
Everything above works better when your operations are organized. That is why a simple, real-estate-friendly CRM matters. LeadMills helps new agents capture leads with clean forms, reply instantly with real estates marketing email and SMS automations, score and segment prospects, book appointments with reminders, and track what is actually converting. You focus on real conversations and showings while LeadMills keeps your follow-up consistent and your pipeline visible. If you want your first year to be about momentum instead of guesswork, set up your lead gen and follow-up inside LeadMills and grow from there.